I met Mick at Nelgarde Road back in the mid 60s and I was so envious of Jenni having five brothers and sisters as I am an only child and I felt there was so much fun in that house just with the siblings being around. The whole family were characters and Mick was very cheeky and a real fun loving guy. Over the years we watched the progression of his MS, but strangely it never altered his character, even when he became wheelchair bound and severely disabled. He was one of the most positive people I have ever known, and though I have suffered with health problems myself, I always looked to him as he was such an example of positivity and moving forward. When I asked him one day how he managed, he gave me a wry smile and said, “well, consider the alternative” … and that was as much as he said and how he dealt with his situation.
One story he told me summed up his sense of humour, and so I will retell it here as I remember it. It was when Rosemarie had gone for a short break with Rosie and Chris and the regular carers were there for the weekend to look after Mick. They were able to manoeuvre him from the bed into his wheelchair and help with showers etc., but Rosemarie had the knack of being able to put his catheter in with complete ease, but the carers found it difficult. They had therefore summoned the local district nurse to come and assist in this endeavour. Mick was sitting in his wheelchair naked from the waist down and apparently the district nurse was also having some difficulty with the catheter, so the carers joined her to offer encouragement. Mick is taking this all in his stride, and suddenly says “ladies, it has been a fantasy of mine all my life to have three women between my naked thighs, and all you’re doing is trying to take the piss out of me”. Apparently all three of them were totally hysterical and collapsed with laughter, and strangely I don’t know the end of the story as it made me laugh so much and sums up how he saw life … he had a knack of seeing the ridiculous and making such observations and this optimism was what sustained him and kept him going for so many years. A lesser mortal would have given up long ago, but I have to add that he could never have survived without the love, care, empathy and support of Rosemarie who I am sure saw the darker side when no-one else was around. She buoyed him up for all those years and certainly adhered to the vow “in sickness and in health” … a truly amazing woman.
He was an outstanding human being, had an opinion on everything and would express it whether you liked it or not, loved music and was so knowledgeable on that subject and was always happy to give advice or be helpful in any way he could. He was very much loved by so many and whenever I think of him I will smile at his memory …. a unique, resilient, unforgettable character. Rest in peace, dear Mick.
